Aratiatia site for peace-rock festival

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 99, 23 December 1970, Page 1

Aratiatia site for peace-rock festival

An Auckland group hopes to stage a three-day peace-rock festival, similar to one held recently at Whangarei, at Aratiatia about six miles north of Taupo, during Auckland Anniversary weekend - January 30-31.

The superintendent of Lands and Survey Rotorua, Mr A. K. Gibson, has told the festival organisers that a piece of Crown land, on the right bank of the Waikato River north of Aratiatia could be available if written permission was obtained from the Taupo County Council and the Taupo police. Permission to hold the festival, subject to the health inspector's requirements regarding sanitation and water supply, was granted at last week's meeting of the Taupo County Council. The health inspector, Mr W. h. Watters, had inspected the proposed site and said he lelt his requirements could be met for a crowd of 4000 to 5000. The organisers said they hoped for an attendance of up to 15,000, but agreed that Mr Watters' figure would probably be more realistic. At the council meeting, Cr W. P. Scott said he believed that the last festival of its type, at Whangarei, was so orderly that it was a washout. "As long as they stay within the law and run it properly I don't see why it shouldn't be encouraged," he said. Cr C. L. Garner agreed with Cr Scott: "A lot of young people think we're squares. It should be encouraged — and it's a long

way from my place, anyway," he joked. Mr Watters said the organisers had told him that a working party would come down from Auckland about a week before the festival to prepare the site. Questioned by Cr Scott, Mr Watters agreed that the

type of sanitation planned by the organisers could be termed similar to that used by the Army on manoeuvres. The council decided to reserve the right to stop the festival if the health inspector's requiremeqts were not met. It was also decided that, because of the closed fire season no lire permits would be issued unless proper fireplaces and chimneys were built.